overseas airfares
 

I understand that the dollar is not as strong as it was a year ago bit can someone please explain why airline tickets are so expensive now? I am looking for tickets for October (late) and they are $200 more than I paid last year. If Europe was hurting for AMerican tourists you would think that they would offer more speacials.
I say this, of course, right after I returned from London where I got a GREAT deal from British Airways.

You may just be looking too early for fares. A lot of times the carriers don't have specials until 30-45 days from departure date. Keep looking and you'll find a deal. All the fares will go down after the summer.

"If Europe was hurting for AMerican tourists you would think that they would offer more speacials."

Europe doesn't set the cost of most airline tickets. The airlines do.

There are a lot fewer seats on airplanes going to Europe than there were a year or two ago. The price is largely determined by how many seats are empty.

That aside, I agree with Deborah, this is early.

Keith

Surprisingly, while prices are high for travel to Europe this Summer, the real "season" in many countries is when the "Americans have left" - in other words September and October.

Bye the way, where were you thinking of traveling, you don't say!

But it is a bit early for booking for October - just keep checking or find yourself a reputable "consolidator".

Anyone who believes that "Europe is hurting for tourists" has been reading too many National Enquirer articles..just back from Europe and there was no lack of travelers and friends said that Venice and Florence were absolutely jammed. Airline tickets are "so expensive" because they know you don't have too many other options in terms of getting over there and in some instances the number of flights have been cut. The price of air travel is going to do nothing but ultimately go higher and that is a fact that has been known in the media for at least six months.

I have to agree with the previous poster. I just returned from Europe and the transatlantic flights were full. The airports were teaming with visitors. If Europe is hurting for visitors, I can only imagine what not hurting must be like.

I think there are still good airfare deals to be had if you do your homework and are patient. I had a wondeful experience on British Midland (BMI) for this most recent trip and highly recommend them if they're an option for wherever your urge to travel is taking you.

~ Sheryl